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VOLUME 50. ISSUE 53 WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 14, 1990 THE Signpost GLENN WEBB AND the Weber State College Percussion Ensemble in conjunction with the Orchesis Dance Theatre will. present an evening ot percussion and dance. See page 6. Senator's Paw to exclude minority students from traditional student senate seat causes heated debate By Kathleen Montoya Senior reporter of The Signpost H A charter that would have excluded certain minorities from the definition of a traditional student was termed "institutional racism" by Hispanic Senator Terry Rosaro at Monday's student senate r- meeting. "Institutional racism or ' discrimination is a collective act of bigotry andor ignorance masked in a political policy which -i results in ideas that are exclusionary. It also results in acts that segregate other subordinate groups," he said. "Usually, these other groups are ethnic minorities." The proposed traditional student area charter fits that definition, Rosaro said. The charter was drafted by Traditional Senator Rahn Rampton. The traditional r "V V, student is any student under 25 years of age, who does not fulfill the requirements of any other special constituency senator (i.e. black, hispanic, physically challenged), the charter states. Rampton said that he did not intend for the charter to actually be adopted. "It's never been my intention to try and limit or cut out anyone with my charter." The reason for proposing the definition was to "create some controversy and raise some eyebrows," he said. Rampton felt the controversy was necessary in order to create a forum to discuss important issues. fMy first concern is that I've never really understood the reasoning behind having the eight special constituencies," he said. "They have special constituencies so that all segments of the campus community will be represented," said Black Senator Henry WEBER STATE COLLEGE Rudolph. "They designate these seats so that people who would not otherwise have access to the political process can be involved." "I think you're right," Rahn replied, "And that brings me to my next point. "My real concern is that the senate should be restructured to make it more representative of the campus." As it is, groups like the Greeks and women are not represented. "I think we should disband the eight special Inside Special section Weddings worldwide (see insert) News page 2 Enroiiment soars in Utah colleges Editorial . . page 4 o Pro and Consenus Arts . . . . . page 5 Theatre star speaks of fame After Hours page 9 Is ice skating really art? Sports page 1 0 Lady 'Cats back in conference action W " constituency senators and create a house of representatives. ..that does encompass all these other factions." "I have no problem with that because I think maybe it's a way to define special constituency," said Melvin Feller, physically challenged senator. , Feller said it was important for students to have a representative who understands their special needs. It's important for a physically 30 r challenged student to work with a physically challenged senator because he lives with those challenges every day and understands them, according to Feller. "I do not want these seats to be only token seats." Rosaro said. "I want us to be able to work not only in the capacity of special constituency representative but also in other capacities in which (See CHARTER page 2)

Public Domain. Courtesy of University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University.

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VOLUME 50. ISSUE 53 WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 14, 1990 THE Signpost GLENN WEBB AND the Weber State College Percussion Ensemble in conjunction with the Orchesis Dance Theatre will. present an evening ot percussion and dance. See page 6. Senator's Paw to exclude minority students from traditional student senate seat causes heated debate By Kathleen Montoya Senior reporter of The Signpost H A charter that would have excluded certain minorities from the definition of a traditional student was termed "institutional racism" by Hispanic Senator Terry Rosaro at Monday's student senate r- meeting. "Institutional racism or ' discrimination is a collective act of bigotry andor ignorance masked in a political policy which -i results in ideas that are exclusionary. It also results in acts that segregate other subordinate groups," he said. "Usually, these other groups are ethnic minorities." The proposed traditional student area charter fits that definition, Rosaro said. The charter was drafted by Traditional Senator Rahn Rampton. The traditional r "V V, student is any student under 25 years of age, who does not fulfill the requirements of any other special constituency senator (i.e. black, hispanic, physically challenged), the charter states. Rampton said that he did not intend for the charter to actually be adopted. "It's never been my intention to try and limit or cut out anyone with my charter." The reason for proposing the definition was to "create some controversy and raise some eyebrows," he said. Rampton felt the controversy was necessary in order to create a forum to discuss important issues. fMy first concern is that I've never really understood the reasoning behind having the eight special constituencies," he said. "They have special constituencies so that all segments of the campus community will be represented," said Black Senator Henry WEBER STATE COLLEGE Rudolph. "They designate these seats so that people who would not otherwise have access to the political process can be involved." "I think you're right," Rahn replied, "And that brings me to my next point. "My real concern is that the senate should be restructured to make it more representative of the campus." As it is, groups like the Greeks and women are not represented. "I think we should disband the eight special Inside Special section Weddings worldwide (see insert) News page 2 Enroiiment soars in Utah colleges Editorial . . page 4 o Pro and Consenus Arts . . . . . page 5 Theatre star speaks of fame After Hours page 9 Is ice skating really art? Sports page 1 0 Lady 'Cats back in conference action W " constituency senators and create a house of representatives. ..that does encompass all these other factions." "I have no problem with that because I think maybe it's a way to define special constituency," said Melvin Feller, physically challenged senator. , Feller said it was important for students to have a representative who understands their special needs. It's important for a physically 30 r challenged student to work with a physically challenged senator because he lives with those challenges every day and understands them, according to Feller. "I do not want these seats to be only token seats." Rosaro said. "I want us to be able to work not only in the capacity of special constituency representative but also in other capacities in which (See CHARTER page 2)